Apron disk transmission mechanism



Feb. 9 1926. 1,572,107

F. B. COCKBURN APRON msx TRANSMISSION MECHANISM Filed Feb; 21, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 9 1926. 1,572,107

F. B. COCKBURN A'PRON DISKTRANSMISSION MECHANISM Filed Feb. 21, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 anm nto'a Patented Feb. 9, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT ome FRANCIS BEAUFORT CoCxmmN, or CINCINNATI, 0310," ASSIGNOR TO THE LODGE a SEIPLEY MACHINE 'roon comrANv, or CINCINNATI, OHIO, A CORPORATION 01 OHIO.

APBON DISK TRANSMISSION MECHANISM.

Application filed February 21, 1924. Serial No. 894,219.

To all whom it may concern:

noun, a subject of Great Britain, and'residmg at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented a new I and useful Apron Disk Transmission Mechanism, of which the following specification isa 'full disclosure.

This invention relates generally to lathes.

and is particularly directed to improvements in mechanism for operating alternately the carriage feed on the bed'or the tool slide cross feed on the carriage, preferably by a common or single actuator, although its embodiment is perceptible for transmission mechanism in general and the control Objects of the invention are to provide means operable by a single actuator for selectively controlling the cross or longitudinal feeds, and thereby positively preventing simultaneous operation of both feeds.

Another object is to provide a friction device for transmitting power for cross and longitudinal feeds, which device is adjustable to permit slippage in case of accident, as is desirable in case of overload.

Another object is to obtain selective operation of the alternately operable friction devices, by means of a hand lever instead of a revolving knob, the hand lever being a more positively operable and more easily actuatable device.

Another object is to provide for an application of pressure to the friction devices in; dependently of the operator, in such manner that a minimum effort only will be required by him to transmittingly connect respective mechanisms with the power, the pressure applying devices being designed to obtain the desired clampin" preszure, but sulficiently yieldable under undue mac-lune strains to permit slippage of the transm ssion connections, thus acting as safety devices. J v

Another object is to provide for the yieldable locking of the operating lever-at limits of-movement in each direction. 1

Although the device illustrated and described herein is shown applied to a lathe, it isundcrstood that the same ma be used for other purposes wherein it is esired' to selectively control two mechanisms which are to be alternately transmittingly coupled,

' pressure OPR lIEQIM I and which must be positively prevented Be 1t known that I, FRANCIS B. COCK- from simultaneous operation. o Other objects and certain advantages will appear in the description and drawings of a lathe apron prpvidedwith my improved mechanism, the parts being broken away to more distinctly show theconstruction.

Figure 2 is: a vertical cross section on line 2-2, of Fig. 1,, the mechanism being shown in neutral position.- I

Figure 3 is a detail elevation of the operating lever and adjacent part-s.

Figure 4 is a detai vertical section on line 44, of Fig. 3, through the operating lever and compressing and decompressingmechm nism for the clutch activating expansion elements.

Figure 5 is a top plan View with the top plateof the apron removed to more clearly show the relation of the-clutch to the transmission mechanisms.

The invention i primarily disclosed as a part of the transmission mechanism carried by the carriage apron of a lathe for alternately fee'dingmr translating the carriage upon the lat-he bed or the tool slide in a cross feed on the carriage. In its 'fullest capacity it may be referred to as liriction clutching or transmission controlling mechanism com pactly arranged comprising a driving mem ber adapted to bei alternately frictionally engaged or connectedj with the plurality of driven members, The drivenunembers are disposed at opposite sides of the driving 'members to be friictionally engaged. The

springs are relatively arranged to adaptthe same tube icontrolled by. a: single lever or actuator whereby, thespriiagswill exert 9.

against the actuator; for neutralizm the actuator andclutching its mechanism,- an ejlso adaptingthe actuatorto be centralized forcontrolhng the pressure.

' d e s-be of both springs for alternate clutch control.

Referrlng to the drawings, 1 designates the baseior"bedfi'ofarerdinary lathe, 2:tha-.

apron raek'fattaehed 'at theoutside bf and beneath an'overhanging portion of the bed, d pted ngeae tone element 0 the aprom translating mechanism, for feeding the carriage upon the rails of the lathe bed. The numeml83designates the feed or power shaft, and 4 the apron proper suitably gibbed -to thrail '5 in a manner not herein shown. Inasmuch. as thfi invention relates particularly to clutc means for alternately transmittirt 1y connecting'power witlr the carriage fee or tool slide cross feed on the carriage, and for shifting power alternately from'one to.th e other, and also to means for PIGYGIIUIIO' s1- multaneous operation of both mechan sms, and inasmuch as virtually allmechanisms herein are mounted and movable with the carriage and apron thereof, it is'beli'eved unnecessary to further illustrate the structure of the lathe proper.

The apron 1s loosely traversed bythe feed shaft 3 and said apron is guided 'uponthe lathe bed and moves translatively withreference to the screw and-'bed-in awell known manner. Splined to the lead or power shaft 3 are the sleeved-bevel gears 5, 6, each-shiftable by suitable mechanism'for alternate engagement with the driving bevel gear 7 keyed to a cross shaft 8 ro'tatively journaled in the apron 4. Attached to the cross shaft the gear 25-.

8, in this instance as an integral part thereof, is aspur gear 9 in mesh with peripheral teeth'lO of a rotatable referably constantly driven and shiftable c'utch member '11, attached to and rotatable with a hub extension ,12 journaled, as more fully herebelow described, for rotation and translation in the apron. Journaled rotatably in a suitable bearing in the apron by means of a tubular hub extension 15, is a clutch member 20 substantially similar to clutch member 11, and having peripheral spur teeth 21 and interior teeth 22, with which interior teeth are non-rotatably engaged friction clutch'disks ormembers 23 disposed at the interiorof the member 20.

The hub extension 15 surrounds and is rotatable upon the shiftable hub extension 12 of the clutch member 11, which extension 12 forms a support and bearing for the member 20. The teeth 21 are in mesh in this instance with an idler gear 25 rotatably-mounted' upon the upper overhanging portion 26 of the apron bed engagingpart, upon which part is mounted inthe usual manner the cross slide not herein shown. A cross slide feed shaft isindieated at 27 and the same has at-its outer end a gear 26 meshing with The gear teeth 21 and gears 25 and 28 constitute transmission means conneeting the cross feed driving clutch memthe clutch member 41.

member 11, which member has interior teeth 13' having clutch disks 14 non-rotatably engaged therewith in a manner similar to that of" the clutch member 20. Rotatable within the tubular extension 12, as a bearing, is a shaft 40. to which is keyed a clutch member 41 having peripheral teeth 42, with which teeth are non-rotatably engaged friction disks .43 alternately interposed between the disks 14 of the clutch member 11. The teeth 42 are in this instance formed upon an annulus 55 attachedvby screws 56 and pin 57 to The cross feed driving clutch member 41 is keyed to ,the shaft 40 and abuts a gear 45 thereon, which gear is in'mesh with a spur gear 46 (see Fig. 5)

mounted upon a shaft 47 journaled crosswise in the apron, the cross shaft 47 carrying at its inuerend a spur gear 48 in mesh or adapted to be in mesh with the rack 2. The shaft 40, gears-45, 46, shaft 47 and gear 48 herein constitute for convenience of descri tion, means transmittingly connecting t e rack 2 with the apron feed driving clutch.

member 41. The shaft 40, however, may be separately considered as a part of the clutch mechanism proper, and for this reason said shaft is also herein designated as. an apron translating drive shaft, and the gear 45 upon this shaft could be transmittingly'engaged with the rack 2. The'shaft 40 is extended beyond the sleeve 12 at the outer end and beyond the gear 45 at the opposite end, and is thus jourualed at opposite sides of the clutch member 41, respectively, in the sleeve 12 and in a bearing 49 of the apron.

The clutch member 11 as a separate piece is in this instance attached to the hub 35 by a suitable fastening device 50, the hub 35' having formed on its periphery teeth 51 with which-are non-rotatably engaged disks 52 alternately disposed between the friction disks 23 of the clutch member 20. The shiftable driving clutch member 11 having the hub 35 and tubular extension 12 is thus disposed intermediate the members 20, 41, and is :idapted when shifted to alternately frictionally unite the clutch disks 43, 52, and 14, 43. The shiftable member is also normally adaptedto lie in neutral or unclutched position between the members 20, 41, and means is herein provided for positioning and holding the disks of the clutch member, as well as the member itself in neutral position with the disks positively disengaged from the disks of the other clutch members, at opposite sides thereof.

The tubular hub extension 12 at its outer end is provided with an adjustable annular abutment 60, which in this instance has threaded engagement with the counterturned portion of said extension, and said abutment is held by a screw 61 against accidental displacement.

Resilient or expansible elements 65, 66, are

"arranged at relatively opposite sides of and are alternately engageable with said abu'tment, the said elements, herein shown as coiled springs, being mounted in the following manner: The element 65 surrounds the outer end of the shaft 40, is spaced therefrom and abuts the washers 67,. 68. The washer 67 engages a counterturned portion of the abutment which counterturned portion forms a shoulder, and the washer, in a neutral position of the member 11, is disengaged and slightly spaced away from the abutment. The outer face of a cupped washer 68 abuts a cap 70 having threaded engagement with a forwardly disposed tubular extension 71 of the apron 4, and said washer also surrounds and is engaged with the shaft 40, a nut 72 being en aged with the outer end of the shaft 40 for holding the washer 68 against displacement when the cap. 70 is removed. The spring 66 at one end abuts thewasher 75, which washer is normally spaced from the abutment in a manner similar to washer 67. The means for holdin the washers 67 and 75 thus spaced away from the abutment, herein comprises translatable diametrically related lugs interposed between the washers as herebelow more fully described, the said lugs acting in conjunction with lever controlled operating means to compress and decompress the expansion elements. The spring 66 at its opposite end abuts a washer 76 which washer in turn is. engaged with the outer end of the tubular extension 15, which extension projects slightly beyond a bearing bushing 80 held by a pin 81 against rotation in the front wall of the apron. The resilient elements, herein shown as springs, are assembled under compression and are thereafter normally under equal, compression, as shown in Fig. 2. When either spring is compressed the other engages the abutment and causes translation of the member 11 in appropriate direction to cause clutching engagement there-' of with one or the other of the cooperable clutch members 11 20, a maximum pressure being exerted by the expansion memers upon the clutch disks and-such pressure being sufiicient to drive the largest cut that the machne is capable of carrying, but not sufiiciently great to prevent slippage of the disks should'undue strain be brought to bear upon the machine.

It will also be seen as hereinafter more fully set forth, that the degree of pressure exerted upon the cooperative friction disks is not dependent upon the effort of the operator but is obtained by simple easy movement of the lever, through the intermediary of the expansive force of the s rings. The lever is, moreover, automatical y locked. at limits of movement in each direction so that after a. given clutch is thrown in the mechanism will remain so set until the lever is again operated.

The expansible elements 65, 66 (as shown in Fig. 2) act counter to one another, and means is provided for compressing either element while simultaneously decomp-ressing the other, whereby the elements are alternately activated to engage the abutment 60 and correspondingly .move the shiftable member 11 for alternate clutch engagement of its friction members or disks with the cooperable friction members or disks of the members 20,41. 1

Means is interposed between the washers 67, 75, for holding the same normally disengaged from the abutment, to permit a degree of free translation of the shiftable member 11, in neutral position, and also to provide for alternately activating the springs, which means consists of lugs 85 relatively diametr'cally disposed and integral with a cylindrica-l shaft 86 rotatable in suitable bearings, in this instance a bore .of the extension 71, said shaft being centrally cut away to provide a forked structure having arms 87 from which horizontally project the pins or lugs 85. The shaft 86 has a-square projection 89 engaged in a corresponding socket 90 tion. To accomplish. the locking operation above mentioned the rotatable cam is provided with relatively oppositely inclined surfaces converging-upwardly in a direction generally the same as the surfaces 91, but of different relative angularity, and'in the neutral ,position' of the cam the said cam has a knife edge engagement as at 101 with the surfaces 92. (See Fig. 2).

The cam 95 is formed as a projection. integral with and upon one end of a cross shaft 105 rotatably journaled in cars 106 extending outwardly from the front wall of the apron. Between the ears is disposed and keyed to the shaft, a clutch operating lever 107 actuatable for disposing the clutch mechanism respectively in neutral-posit on, and in clutching positions zit-opposite sides of the neutral position. When. the lever 13 5 shifted to the right, as viewed in Iiig. 2, the projections 85 compress the spring 65 and activate the spring 66, which when expanding shifts the member 11 -for clutch engagement with the cooperable member 20. When the lever is shifted to theleft, the projections 85' compress thespian 66 and activate the spring 65, the expansl leforce of which translates the member 11 in-the opposite direction for clutch= engagement with the member 41. When the lever 15 positioned as at a (see-Fig. 3) the arm 91 is positioned as shown in dot-and-dash lines and the surface 100 of the cam is engaged The surface 93 is simultaneously en aged with the curved port ion of the cam ass own and both arm 90. and lever 10!? are thus locked against accidental displacement. Re-

verse locking action takes-place when the.

lever is shifted to position. b shown in Fig. 2.

By the above described mechanisms means is provided for engaging and disengaging either the longitudinal or the cross :feed

by a single operating means, and the powerfor feed is transmitted through a friction member which may slip in case of overload of the machine. Moreover, the pressure exerted on the friction disksis independent of the efiort of the; operator but is at the same time great enough to dr ve w thout slipping, the largest cut of which-the machine is capable. The length'of'the arm 91 is so proportioned that the lever 107 maybe moved to its various positions with great ease and in the limit positions the: lever is yieldablv locked-against accidental displacement. The device also provides-against s1- multaneous operation of both longitudinal and cross feeds and this provides what may be termed an interlock between the mechanisms as well as between respective clutches therefor. j r

The mechanism above described: for alternately transmittingly connecting the cross slide and apron feed withthe power can be utilized under other similar conditions where it is desirable or necessary to alternately connect a plurality of mechanisms, which are designed for independent operarotatable and shiftable clutch member having an abutment thereon, cooperable clutch members at relatively'oppos'ite sides of said shiftable clutch member-alternately engageable by said member for movement 'inunison ...stherewi-tli, expansible elements at relatively .clutch member. for alternate clutch engagetion, and which should not be simultaneous o )posite sides ofzand engageable. withj saidfi a utI-nent, saidelements'acting counterto one another,'and meansifor compressing either element while sin rnltaneously deoompressing the other, whereby said elements are alternately activated to engage s aid abut-) ment andcorrespondingly move said shift able clutch member, for alternate clutch '-engagement with said. cooperableclutchmem- :ers.-

2. In a device of the class described, a rotatable and shiftable clutch memberu-having an abutment thereon, cooperable clutch members at; relatively opposite sides-of said shit'table clutch member alternately engageable by said member for movement'in unison therewith, expansible elements at relatively opposite sides of'and engageablewith said flatly against the end 1111594 of the-:slotr.

abutment, said elements acting. counter to one another, andmeans for activating either element while simultaneously deactivating the other, whereby said elements are alternately activated to engage said abutment and correspondingly move said shit-table )0 ment with said cooperable clutch. members.

3. In a lathe, a power sha fhan apron having apron translating mechanism, a cross slide teed shaft. a shift-able clutch member having an abutment. thereon. transmission mechanism cnnecting said clutch member and power'shaft, cooper-able clutch nlelllbeti-l at opposite sides. of said shiftable member" alternately engageable thereby, transmission means respectively connecting said apron translating mechanism with'one of said cooperative clutch Tmembers'wind said cross sl-idefeed shaft with the other cooperative clutch member, expansible elements' at relatively opposite sides of 'andengageafnle with .105 the abutment of said shiftable clutch memher, said elements acting countier to one another, means for compressing either element while simultaneously decompressing the other, whereby said members are alternately not activated to engage said abutment and correspondingly shift said shit-tableclutch me'ni her for alternate clutch engagement with said cooperative clutch member "to correspondingly activate either-the apron or cross 11 feed transmission mechanisms and prevent simultaneous operation of both mechanisms.

4. In a device of the, class described. a"- rotatable and shiftable :drivingclutch memher having an abutment thereon. cooperable driven clutch members at relatively opposite sides of said shiftable elutcnmember alternately engageable by said member for-move- -ment in unison therewith, "expansible ele-;.

ments at relatively opposite-sides of and engageable with said abutment; said elements acting counter to one another. means interposed between and engaging said expansible elements for holding the same disengaged frofn said abutment .to obtain and 'fmaintain positive disengagement of said ingeither element whi esimultaneous (fr shiftable member relative to said driven members, saidmeans 0 erable for com ressdecompressing the other, whereby sai elements. are alternately activated to engage I I said abutment and correspondingly .move

said shiftable clutch member for alternate clutch engagement with said driven clutchmember.

6. In a device of the class described, a rdtatable and shiftable driving clutch member aving an abutment thereon, cooperable driven clutch members at relatively opposite means. interposed between and engaging said resilient elements for holding the same disenga ed from said abutment to obtain and aintain pq'sitive disen'gagement of said sliiftableniembr relative L to said (lllYel'l members, said means operable for actlvatmg either resilient element while simultaneously deactivating the other, whereby said elements. are alternately activated to engage said abutment and correspondingly move said shiftable clutch member for alternate clutch engagement with said driven clutch member.

'6. In a device ot'the class described, a shiftable clutch member having an abutment thereon, cooperable clutch members at relatively opposite sides of said shiftable member alternately en'gageable by said shiftable member for movement in unison therewith, resilient elements at lrelatively opposite s des e and engageable with said abutment, said elements acting counter to one another, ele- Intent activating means interposed between and enga i'ng saidelements for normally holding the same disengaged from said abutment to'obtain and maintain positive disengagement of said shiftable member rel,- ative to said driven members, said means operable for activating either element While ber for alternate clutch engagement withv said cooperable clutch member, and whereby said clutch engagement may be maintained.

7. In a lathe, an apron having apron translating mechanism, a rotatable clutch and driving member having a tubular extension 'ournaled in said apron, a translatable drivmg and clutch member havmg a tubular extension 'ournaled within the hub extensi ani sa gl rgtgtable clutch member, said there n, a sleeve turra si s resealable therewith, resilient "elements at relatively opposite sides of and engageable with said abutment, said elements acting counter to one another, and means for activating either element while simultaneously deactivating the other, whereby said members are alter- 'natelyactivated .to "en age. said abutment and correspondingly siift said shiftable clutch member for alternate engagement with said cooperable clutch member to activate' either; the cr'oss feed or transmission mechanism and prevent simultaneous operation of both mechanisms.

8. In adevice of the class described, a driven shaft, a sleeve surrounding and slidable and rotatable thereon, a' sup ort for said sleeve, an abutment upon sai sleeve, and expansion'members normally engaging said abutment atrelatively opposite sides thereof, whereby when said abutment is moved in either direction one oflsaid compression members is further compressed to allow' clutch-actuating expansion of the other.

9.- In a device of the class described, a driven shaft, a sleeve surrounding and slidable and rotatable thereon, a sup ort for said sleeve, an abutment upon sai sleeve, and expansion members normally ex ansively engaging said abutment at relatively opposite sides, whereby when said abutment no is moved in either direction one of said com pression-members is further compressed and the other released. for sleeve translation.

10. In a device of the class described, a

driven. shaft" having a clutch' member 15 I driven shaft having clutch disks mounted 9 and rotatable upon said-shaft having clutch disks thereon, a third member havin clutch disks thereonfrotatable upon said score, a sup ort for' said sleeve, an abutment upon sair sleeve, and comples'sion membersnormally expansi ely engagin' said abutment at relatively opposite sides, w iereby when said abutment is moved either direction one of said compression members is further compressed, the other expanded and the sleeve and disk moved in opposite directions for alternately compressively engaging the disks at opposite sidestherfinf.

12. Ina device of .the case. describe-ma 'bed, an apron slidablethereon, mechanism for feedinguthe carriage of the-bed, mechanism for feedin the shde on thecarriage, an alternative dou les'friction clutch mechamsm forselecti-vely operating the carriage-or shde 'feeds, a single clutch actuator therefor having anabutment thereon, expansible members at relatively opposite sidesof said abutment, each under com ression, whereby when said actuator is move in either direction one of said 'expansible members 1s-further com- Avith said carriage or slide-feed mechanism,

which means comprises a shi'itable: clutch member alternately cooper-able withcorrer spending clutch members of either. carriage or slide Qfee'd mechanisms-an.abutment .on said shiftable clutch member, and compres sion 'Inembers. compressively. engaging .said abutment at relatively oppositesides where'- byvvhen said abutment is moved in either direction one of said compression members is further. compressed and theaother exbed, constantly intermeshi'ng' new panded to bring said shiftable member into transmission enga ment with the corresponding clutch dis s. v

14; A device of the class described, comprising three transmission members adiai cently disposed having their axes concentrically engaged, and of relatively different lengths with their ends arranged to provide shoulders opposingly with respect to the intermediate member, friction disks respectively interposed between said members, the intermediate member movable in o posite directions for alternately frictiona y en gaging V said respective members in .pairs,

SPIIIIgS under tension interposed between t1 eend shoulders of the axes of said members for neutralizing the intermediate member, and means for movin the intermediate member to compressively rin the same into frictional engagement wit other members. 1

15.. A device of the class described, c mprising three transmission members adjacently disposed having their axes concentrically enga ed, friction disks respectively inter ose between said members, the interme iate member movable in op osite directions. for alternately frictiona engaging said respective members in pairs, sprin s undertension interposed between the en s of the axes of said members and relatively opposing the end of the axis of the intermediate member for neutralizing the same, and means, formoving the intermediate member to compressively bring the same into frictional engagement-with one of said other members. 1;, a Y i 16. In a device of the'class described, a driven shaft having a clutch member one of said mounted thereon, a sleeve surrounding and slidable upon said shaft, said sleeve having clutch members, a rotatable member having clutch members, an abutment 1 Jon said sleeve, means for selectively shi ting the,

abutment. and means in connection with said shifta-ble abutment for causing operation of said clutch members, corresponding to the direction of abutment shift.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe. 

